I think the OP should have bought a sportline or M-Sport with adaptive suspension and sport trans option... Part of his complaint is how the car feels... The F30 definitely feels more planted and stable with the adaptive suspension ....

From what I can understand, you´re not so much complaining bout the power but rather its the F30 body/weight/feel/handling that you ain´t satisfied with. Well, the 328 is more nimble than the 335 and handles better (F30s). So what ever advice you get from the other ones in here sayin´you should have gotten the 335i, forget about it. Unless it´s the power you´re after, you can´t do better with the 335i. (Prayin to God I don´t start a damn 328vs335 discussion now.......)

And what is with the comparison with S4 vs A4? S4 is a specific model of the A4, which is the family name. That´s equivalent to M3 vs F30 (and before anyone gets anal about it, yes the RS4 is the M3 competitor...)

Vitoco hit the nail on the head. His complaint is more to do with the F30 in general than the 328i specifically. The OP's 2011 335i is heavier than the 2013 328i, so the feeling of it being "heavier" is more to do with the increased size of the new chassis coupled with a less powerful engine than his E90.

The simple solution is either get a tune for the 328 or get rid of the car. Swapping for an F30 335i will not make the car feel lighter or better handling by any means, though it will satisfy the desire for more power obviously. Unless the sound of the N20 (and the dynamics of the F30 as a whole) are problems for the OP, just go with the tune and call it even!

I felt that the 328 was underpowered. Not that it wasn't fast enough, but the 335 just feels so much better. I tested the 328i, but from the first meter pulling out from the dealership I felt that it was not what I wanted. The 6-cyl is what makes the car.

I just picked up a 2013 328 sport with Tech, Luxury, Convenience packages and heated seats. It is a nice enough car, but not the most satisfying drive.

Some of the dissatisfaction come from having a 2011 335 sport also. Despite what the specs say, that car is way faster and pulls like a freight train. The 328 has good power, but feel like a much bigger/heavier car. The 328 seems more stable than the 335 which seems like it want to jump into oncoming traffic or the next lane unless you really concentrate on keeping the car between the lines.

Not with my own F30 328 but I did test drive a 328 for a good period and came away disappointed - and I'm coming from a 2006 325i. Nice car, but just felt underpowered for me and didn't love the random rattles of the N20 engine.

So then I went and test drove a 335 and ended up ordering it less than 2 weeks later. The price difference by the way is much narrower after adding in all the standard options on 335 not on 328 (moonroof, anti-theft, bigger brakes, xenons, etc) - I think its more like 2-3k difference.

i ordered my 328i without test driving because i hadnt been released yet but i trusted bmw to deliver a quality car and it met my expectations. it is more comfortable and way more powerful than the E90 328i. Its close to the 335i but the lack of sound and extra torque do make a difference in the feeling you get during acceleration. that is a subjective thing, but you cannot argue with the actual performance numbers. an exhaust and tune may should help some because we're not talking a huge difference. if that doesnt help, id recommend you wait for the 335i engine replacement, because the current one will be old news soon (do you remember the 330i?). a sport or msport would have been a better choice too, maybe adding an aftermarket suspension will help.

I test drove an 8AT 328i in March 2012. Even compared to my 6AT E90 325i (true 2.5 litre engine, Euro spec - not the detuned 3 litre US spec engine) the 328i felt slow off the mark in Comfort setting.

The I6 hd/has an immediate head whipping effect on starting from rest. the T4's acceleration from rest during the test was very linear, however, the car was pretty much brand new and had only a few hundred kms on it. Still not run in at all.

In the 'DS' mode (shifter to the left) performance improved and of course in Sport it was terrific.

I am ecstatic to own a very nimble 328i, which is just starting feel more alive at 3,000kms. No need for a 335i where I live. Besides, BIG, BIG price jump between 328i & 335i where I live.

I'm a little disappointed. But to be fair it's not totally BMW's fault (if at all). Whilst i'd clearly done research and knew more than my dealer about the car, if only he'd questioned me a bit more a out my needs I would have gone for the M-Sport 328i (can't see why anyone wouldn't as for an extra £500 in the UK you get at least that in options).

Also Tanzanite Blue...Hmmm....not completely sold on it and couldn't view it at all (not even a sample in a dealers draw). The website doesn't do a good job representing it (it's darker in reality). Perhaps when the sun comes out the flecks in the paint will show off some more.

So I'm stuck with a car im not totally happy with. Partially my fault (for not doing even more research). Having said that, no matter who's fault, I'm sure BMW would rather have happy owners than one's feeling less than thrilled.

All in all am looking forward to 2015 when it'll be time to change for an M3 or M4.

I agree. The difference between the two is not that large. When I was going to buy the difference worked out to less than 2K for equally equiped cars (335 has some standard features that are addons on the 328)

It depends where he lives ... for instance here in Brazil, the packages are standard (we only have 2 preconfigured 328i, sport and luxury and 1 preconfigured 335i). You cannot add any optional equip here. We are stuk with what BMW brings to us. And it is expensive. a 328 Sport here cost around U$90k US Dollars. And the 335i costs around U$135k. So 50% more. Our prices are more inline with Europe than USA, but still average 25% more expensive than europe.

It depends where he lives ... for instance here in Brazil, the packages are standard (we only have 2 preconfigured 328i, sport and luxury and 1 preconfigured 335i). You cannot add any optional equip here. We are stuk with what BMW brings to us. And it is expensive. a 328 Sport here cost around U$90k US Dollars. And the 335i costs around U$135k. So 50% more. Our prices are more inline with Europe than USA, but still average 25% more expensive than europe.

The OP is in Northern California.

I can understand why someone would purchase a 328 over 335 in other markets. However, in the US the price difference is minimal.

Please note that I said I am "a little disappointed" with the 3013 328. I am not strongly disappointed with the car and we plan on keeping it. It gets great mileage (averaging 27 mpg) and I hope it develops more power as it breaks in (only 600 miles currently) and I can start using Sport mode more often.

I did test drive both the 2013 328s and a 335s and came away from the test drive feeling the 328 was fast enough, and for daily driving it is fine. Also, I got a heck of a discount for buying at on the 30 of December. The price difference of the discounted 328 vs a full charge 335 was in excess of $6,500. Both cars felt a little big and not as responsive as earlier 3 series models. To me the 3 series seemed to be getting more 5 like with every model. I base this on having owned a lot of BMWs (8 or more) and currently owning 4 3-series cars (2013 328, 2011 335, 2009 328, 2007 335 (this car is a rocket)).

So I will be driving the 328 to work and around town. But on the weekend trips down fun roads (ex. Highway 1 ) I will take the 2011 335 because it is a more fun car. More power, a little nibbler, and better balanced.

I just picked up a 2013 328 sport with Tech, Luxury, Convenience packages and heated seats. It is a nice enough car, but not the most satisfying drive.

Some of the dissatisfaction come from having a 2011 335 sport also. Despite what the specs say, that car is way faster and pulls like a freight train. The 328 has good power, but feel like a much bigger/heavier car. The 328 seems more stable than the 335 which seems like it want to jump into oncoming traffic or the next lane unless you really concentrate on keeping the car between the lines.

So has anyone else felt a little disappointed in their 328?

Thanks,

Jerry

I have a thread on this (328i No more!)

Most people think I am an idiot, but I ordered a 335i M Sport and am trading in the 328i

The power I enjoy most is on the highway. The 335i is on a different planet than the 328i when it comes to pulling at high speed.

I am a driver, I love it. I like manual transmissions over autos and I like being able to take on ramps at 75mph with ease.

the 328i is a great car, its just missing that little extra something.

I test drove an 8AT 328i in March 2012. Even compared to my 6AT E90 325i (true 2.5 litre engine, Euro spec - not the detuned 3 litre US spec engine) the 328i felt slow off the mark in Comfort setting.

The I6 hd/has an immediate head whipping effect on starting from rest. the T4's acceleration from rest during the test was very linear, however, the car was pretty much brand new and had only a few hundred kms on it. Still not run in at all.

In the 'DS' mode (shifter to the left) performance improved and of course in Sport it was terrific.

I am ecstatic to own a very nimble 328i, which is just starting feel more alive at 3,000kms. No need for a 335i where I live. Besides, BIG, BIG price jump between 328i & 335i where I live.

Here is where the earlier posters are coming from...in their $2k price difference between comparably a equipted 335 and 328. The 335 is $6k+ more than the 328. Now the 335 also comes std. with a moonroof, hid lights, wood interior, and security. If you don't value these (and I don't)...it is a $6k difference in price. Gas mileage between the two is about equal. If you value handling...you might chose the lighter...better balanced 328...as proven at Laguna Seca. If you want more straight line power...and the std options...the 335 may be your choice.

Please note that I said I am "a little disappointed" with the 3013 328. I am not strongly disappointed with the car and we plan on keeping it. It gets great mileage (averaging 27 mpg) and I hope it develops more power as it breaks in (only 600 miles currently) and I can start using Sport mode more often.

I did test drive both the 2013 328s and a 335s and came away from the test drive feeling the 328 was fast enough, and for daily driving it is fine. Also, I got a heck of a discount for buying at on the 30 of December. The price difference of the discounted 328 vs a full charge 335 was in excess of $6,500. Both cars felt a little big and not as responsive as earlier 3 series models. To me the 3 series seemed to be getting more 5 like with every model. I base this on having owned a lot of BMWs (8 or more) and currently owning 4 3-series cars (2013 328, 2011 335, 2009 328, 2007 335 (this car is a rocket)).

So I will be driving the 328 to work and around town. But on the weekend trips down fun roads (ex. Highway 1 ) I will take the 2011 335 because it is a more fun car. More power, a little nibbler, and better balanced.

Jerry

You think you have it bad? How about those people driving F10 528is around? Now that is highly questionable!

Here is where the earlier posters are coming from...in their $2k price difference between comparably a equipted 335 and 328. The 335 is $6k+ more than the 328. Now the 335 also comes std. with a moonroof, hid lights, wood interior, and security. If you don't value these (and I don't)...it is a $6k difference in price. Gas mileage between the two is about equal. If you value handling...you might chose the lighter...better balanced 328...as proven at Laguna Seca. If you want more straight line power...and the std options...the 335 may be your choice.

Gas mileage is only rated the same when comparing N55 8spd bs N20 6mt.

I had a fairly accurate test on the same loop, same time of day, nearly identical weather, N55 8spd did 35.5mpg and N20 6mt did 39.9mpg. Fact is, a gap is created when comparing N55 6mt vs N20 6mt, if one is an 8spd auto-the gap shrinks.